Empire

An empire is an aggregate of nations or peoples ruled by a single sovereign government.

for the novel by Orson Scott Card, see Empire (Card novel)

Quotes

• Every single empire in its official discourse has said that it is not like all the others, that its circumstances are special, that it has a mission to enlighten, civilize, bring order and democracy, and that it uses force only as a last resort. And, sadder still, there always is a chorus of willing intellectuals to say calming words about benign or altruistic empires, as if one shouldn't trust the evidence of one's eyes watching the destruction and the misery and death brought by the latest mission civilizatrice.
  • Edward Said, Orientalism (1978)